CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a technology related to a locking device capable
of changing and fixing a seat position in a vehicle.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] A vehicle is equipped with seats for occupants. Some of these seats are configured
to be moved and fixed in position in a forward/rearward direction in accordance with
the occupant's needs.
[0004] In order to move the seat in the forward/rearward direction relative to a vehicle
body and fix the seat, a seat rail may be provided between the seat and a floor of
the vehicle body, the seat may be configured to move in the forward/rearward direction
along the seat rail, and the position of the seat, which has moved, may be fixed or
released by a locking device.
[0005] Specifically, a lower rail is mounted on the floor of the vehicle body, and the seat
is coupled to an upper rail configured to slide straight in the forward/rearward direction
relative to the lower rail. The locking device is configured to allow or suppress
a change in relative position of the upper rail with respect to the lower rail.
[0006] Meanwhile, in the related art, a seat belt, which has been fixed to the vehicle body,
is fixed to the seat. Recently, the ability to support a load, which needs to be applied
to the seat, has further increased, and thus the stability of the locking device,
which maintains a locking state, needs to be further improved.
[0007] The foregoing explained as the background of the invention is intended merely to
aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended
to mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the related art that
is already known to those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is proposed to solve these problems and aims to provide a seat
rail locking device for a vehicle, which is capable of further improving stability
of a seat by more stably maintaining a locking state by preventing the locking state
of the seat rail locking device from being released even though an impact load is
applied to the seat.
[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a seat rail
locking device for a vehicle, the seat rail locking device including: a lower rail
having a plurality of locking grooves formed in an inner flange and opened downward;
a locking plate having a plurality of locking teeth configured to be inserted into
or withdrawn from the plurality of locking grooves when the locking plate moves upward
or downward; an upper rail inserted into the lower rail so as to be slidable straight
and having a locking-lifting mechanism configured to switch a locking state by moving
the locking plate upward or downward; and an anti-rotation mechanism configured to
suppress a rotation of the locking plate against a transverse load applied to the
upper rail.
[0010] The anti-rotation mechanism may be configured by a plurality of catching protrusions
provided on the locking teeth of the locking plate.
[0011] The locking plate may include: a central portion connected to the upper rail; and
a plurality of locking teeth protruding from two opposite sides of the central portion,
and the catching protrusions may be provided at ends of the locking teeth.
[0012] The central portion of the locking plate may be elongated in a longitudinal direction
of the lower rail, the plurality of locking teeth may protrude in a direction perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction of the lower rail and be disposed in the longitudinal
direction of the central portion at predetermined intervals, and the catching protrusion
may protrude locally from the end of each of the locking teeth in the longitudinal
direction of the lower rail.
[0013] Based on the central portion of the locking plate, the catching protrusions at one
side may protrude forward from the locking teeth, and the catching protrusions at
the other side may protrude rearward from the locking teeth.
[0014] When a direction of a seat installed to be close to one side based on a centerline
of a vehicle body is defined as a first reference direction, the catching protrusions
may protrude forward from the locking teeth, which protrude in the first reference
direction, based on the central portion of the locking plate, and the catching protrusions
may protrude rearward from the locking teeth, which protrude in a direction opposite
to the first reference direction, based on the central portion of the locking plate.
[0015] Among the plurality of locking teeth protruding in the first reference direction
of the locking plate, only the locking teeth at the front side may have the catching
protrusions, and the locking teeth at the rear side may not have the catching protrusions,
and among the plurality of locking teeth protruding in the direction opposite to the
first reference direction of the locking plate, only the locking teeth at the rear
side may have the catching protrusions, and the locking teeth at the front side may
not have the catching protrusions.
[0016] When a transverse direction of a vehicle body connected to a safety belt installed
to connect the vehicle body and a seat is defined as a second reference direction,
the catching protrusions may protrude forward from the locking teeth, which protrude
in the second reference direction, based on the central portion of the locking plate,
and the catching protrusions may protrude rearward from the locking teeth, which protrude
in the direction opposite to the second reference direction, based on the central
portion of the locking plate.
[0017] Among the plurality of locking teeth protruding in the second reference direction
of the locking plate, only the locking teeth at the front side may have the catching
protrusions, and the locking teeth at the rear side may not have the catching protrusions,
and among the plurality of locking teeth protruding in the direction opposite to the
second reference direction of the locking plate, only the locking teeth at the rear
side may have the catching protrusions, and the locking teeth at the front side may
not have the catching protrusions.
[0018] The locking-lifting mechanism may include: a guide bracket fixed to the upper rail
and having a guide pin configured to guide upward and downward movements of the locking
plate; a spring configured to elastically support the locking plate upward with respect
to the guide bracket and allow the locking plate to be coupled to the locking grooves
of the lower rail; and a center pin configured to allow the locking plate to be withdrawn
from the locking grooves by moving downward while overcoming an elastic force of the
spring by means of a straight displacement provided from the outside.
[0019] In addition, to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides
a seat rail locking device for a vehicle, the seat rail locking device including:
a lower rail having a plurality of locking grooves; an upper rail inserted into the
lower rail so as to be slidable straight; a locking plate installed to be inserted
into or withdrawn from locking grooves of the lower rail by moving upward or downward
relative to the upper rail; a spring configured to elastically support the locking
plate upward and allow locking teeth of the locking plate to be inserted into the
locking grooves of the lower rail; and a center pin configured to implement a state
in which the locking teeth are withdrawn from the locking grooves by moving the locking
plate downward while overcoming an elastic force of the spring by means of a straight
displacement provided from the outside, in which catching protrusions are provided
on the locking teeth of the locking plate and prevent a rotation and withdrawal of
the locking plate relative to the lower rail.
[0020] The locking plate may include a central portion provided at a center thereof and
elongated in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail, and the plurality of locking
teeth may protrude from two opposite sides of the central portion so as to be correspondingly
inserted into the locking grooves of the lower rail.
[0021] In the locking plate, the catching protrusions may protrude forward from the plurality
of locking teeth, which is positioned at the front side of one side, based on the
central portion, and the catching protrusions may protrude rearward from the plurality
of locking teeth, which is positioned at the rear side of the other side, based on
the central portion.
[0022] The catching protrusions may protrude from ends of the locking teeth in a longitudinal
direction of the central portion.
[0023] In addition, to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides
a seat rail locking device for a vehicle, the seat rail locking device including:
a central portion having a flat plate shape and elongated straight; a plurality of
locking teeth protruding from two opposite sides of the central portion in a direction
perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the central portion and disposed at predetermined
intervals; and catching protrusions protruding from ends of the locking teeth in the
longitudinal direction of the central portion.
[0024] The catching protrusions may protrude forward from the plurality of locking teeth,
which is positioned at the front side of one side, based on the central portion, and
the catching protrusions may protrude rearward from the plurality of locking teeth,
which is positioned at the rear side of the other side, based on the central portion.
[0025] The present invention may further improve stability of the seat by more stably maintaining
the locking state by preventing the locking state of the seat rail locking device
from being released even though an impact load is applied to the seat.
[0026] In addition, there is no component protruding downward from the lower rail of the
seat rail locking device, which makes it possible to ensure the ease of installation
of the lower rail and ensure the utilization of the space below the lower rail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027]
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a seat rail of a vehicle according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a state in which an upper rail in FIG. 1 is excluded.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the seat rail in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a view illustrating in detail a locking-lifting mechanism and a locking
plate in FIG. 3 when viewed at another angle.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an observation view in direction VI in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the locking plate of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view illustrating a locking plate in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a state in which a seat belt is installed on a seat
of the vehicle.
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the seat disposed on a vehicle body, the seatbelt,
and directionality.
FIG. 11 is a view for explaining an operation of the present invention when the seat
in FIG. 10 is viewed from above.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar constituent
elements are assigned with the same reference numerals regardless of reference numerals,
and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.
[0029] The suffixes "module", "unit", "part", and "portion" used to describe constituent
elements in the following description are used together or interchangeably in order
to facilitate the description, but the suffixes themselves do not have distinguishable
meanings or functions.
[0030] In the description of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, the
specific descriptions of publicly known related technologies will be omitted when
it is determined that the specific descriptions may obscure the subject matter of
the embodiments disclosed in the present specification. In addition, it should be
interpreted that the accompanying drawings are provided only to allow those skilled
in the art to easily understand the embodiments disclosed in the present specification.
[0031] The terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," and the like may be
used to describe various constituent elements, but the constituent elements are not
limited by the terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one constituent element
from another constituent element.
[0032] When one constituent element is described as being "coupled" or "connected" to another
constituent element, it should be understood that one constituent element can be coupled
or connected directly to another constituent element, and an intervening constituent
element can also be present between the constituent elements. When one constituent
element is described as being "coupled directly to" or "connected directly to" another
constituent element, it should be understood that no intervening constituent element
is present between the constituent elements.
[0033] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless clearly described as different
meanings in the context.
[0034] In the present specification, it should be understood the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," "including," "containing," "has," "having" or other variations thereof
are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components, or combinations thereof.
[0035] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, an embodiment of a seat rail locking device for a
vehicle of the present invention includes a lower rail 5 having a plurality of locking
grooves 3 formed in an inner flange 1 and opened downward; a locking plate 9 having
a plurality of locking teeth 7 configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the
plurality of locking grooves 3 when the locking plate 9 moves upward or downward;
an upper rail 11 inserted into the lower rail 5 so as to be slidable straight and
having a locking-lifting mechanism configured to switch a locking state by moving
the locking plate 9 upward or downward; and an anti-rotation mechanism configured
to suppress a rotation of the locking plate 9 against a transverse load applied to
the upper rail 11.
[0036] That is, in the present invention, the rotation of the locking plate 9 is suppressed
by the anti-rotation mechanism when a force for rotating the upper rail 11 and the
locking plate 9 relative to the lower rail 5 is applied by the transverse load applied
to the upper rail 11. Therefore, the locking plate 9 may not be withdrawn from the
locking grooves 3 of the lower rail 5, such that the locking state of the seat rail
may be stably maintained without being released, thereby significantly improving the
stability of the seat.
[0037] For reference, in this case, the seat rail 6 includes the lower rail 5 and the upper
rail 11. The lower rail 5 is mainly fixed to a floor of a vehicle body. The upper
rail 11 is connected to a seat. When the upper rail 11 slides straight relative to
the lower rail 5, the seat may move in a forward/rearward direction relative to the
vehicle body. When the locking-lifting mechanism moves the locking plate 9 upward,
the locking teeth 7 are inserted into the locking grooves 3 of the lower rail 5, such
that the locking state of the seat rail is implemented. When the locking-lifting mechanism
moves the locking plate 9 downward, the locking teeth 7 are withdrawn from the locking
grooves 3, such that the locking state of the seat rail 6 is released.
[0038] In the present embodiment, the locking-lifting mechanism includes a guide bracket
15 fixed to the upper rail 11 and having a guide pin 13 for guiding the upward and
downward movements of the locking plate 9, springs 17 configured to elastically support
the locking plate 9 upward with respect to the guide bracket 15 to allow the locking
plate 9 to be coupled to the locking grooves 3 of the lower rail 5, and a center pin
19 configured to allow the locking plate 9 to be withdrawn from the locking grooves
3 by moving downward while overcoming elastic forces of the springs 17 by means of
a straight displacement provided from the outside.
[0039] In this case, the center pin 19 is configured to receive a straight displacement
from an operating lever separately provided on the seat.
[0040] Therefore, when a user manipulates the operating lever, a straight displacement for
moving the center pin 19 downward is generated and pushes the center pin 19 downward.
Therefore, when the locking plate 9 moves downward, the locking teeth 7 of the locking
plate 9 are withdrawn from the locking grooves 3 of the lower rail 5, such that the
upper rail 11 may freely slide in the forward/rearward direction relative to the lower
rail 5.
[0041] In addition, when the user releases the operating lever, the locking plate 9 is moved
upward by the elastic forces of the springs 17, such that the locking teeth 7 are
inserted into the locking grooves 3 of the lower rail and restrict the straight sliding
motion of the upper rail 11 relative to the lower rail 5.
[0042] For reference, FIG. 3 also illustrates retainers 21 configured to softly guide the
straight sliding motion of the upper rail 11 relative to the lower rail 5.
[0043] In addition, the seat rail 6 in FIG. 1 is any one of the pair of seat rails 6 installed
below the seat.
[0044] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a buckle 27 coupled to a seat belt 25 is connected
to the upper rail 11 through a seat cushion frame in a seat 23 mounted in the vehicle.
Therefore, it is understood that a transverse load is applied to the upper rail 11
as a force, which is generated when the seat belt 25 is pulled in the event of a collision
accident of the vehicle, is transmitted through the buckle 27 and the seat cushion
frame.
[0045] In the present embodiment, the anti-rotation mechanism is configured by a plurality
of catching protrusions 29 provided on the locking teeth 7 of the locking plate 9.
[0046] For reference, as another example, the anti-rotation mechanism may be implemented
as a configuration in which a catching pin protruding downward from the upper rail
11 is inserted into a catching hole of the locking plate 9 when the locking state
is implemented as the locking plate 9 moves upward.
[0047] In the present embodiment, the locking plate 9 includes a central portion 31 connected
to the upper rail 11, and the plurality of locking teeth 7 protruding from two opposite
sides of the central portion 31. The catching protrusions 29 are respectively provided
at ends of the locking teeth 7.
[0048] The central portion 31 of the locking plate 9 is elongated in a longitudinal direction
of the lower rail 5. The plurality of locking teeth 7 protrudes in a direction perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction of the lower rail 5 and is disposed in the longitudinal
direction of the central portion 31 at predetermined intervals. The catching protrusion
29 is shaped to protrude locally from the end of each of the locking teeth 7 in the
longitudinal direction of the lower rail 5.
[0049] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, based on the central portion 31 of the locking
plate 9, the catching protrusions 29 at one side protrude forward from the locking
teeth 7, and the catching protrusions 29 at the other side protrude rearward from
the locking teeth 7.
[0050] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 10, when a direction of the seat 23 installed to
be close to one side based on a centerline of a vehicle body 33 is defined as a first
reference direction, the catching protrusions 29 protrude forward from the locking
teeth 7, which protrude in the first reference direction, based on the central portion
31 of the locking plate 9, and the catching protrusions 29 protrude rearward from
the locking teeth 7, which protrude in a direction opposite to the first reference
direction, based on the central portion 31 of the locking plate 9.
[0051] In addition, among the plurality of locking teeth 7 protruding in the first reference
direction of the locking plate 9, only the locking teeth 7 at the front side have
the catching protrusions 29, but the locking teeth 7 at the rear side do not have
the catching protrusions 29.
[0052] In addition, among the plurality of locking teeth 7 protruding in the direction opposite
to the first reference direction of the locking plate 9, only the locking teeth 7
at the rear side have the catching protrusions 29, but the locking teeth 7 at the
front side do not have the catching protrusions 29.
[0053] Therefore, unlike the seat 23 in FIG. 10, the locking plate 9, which is installed
on the seat rail 6 used to support the seat 23 installed at the right side based on
the centerline of the vehicle body 33 in FIG. 10, is installed inversely so that the
postures of the locking teeth 7 are changed vertically based on the central portion
31 of the locking plate 9 in FIG. 8.
[0054] In this case, an operation of the locking plate 9, which is in a state illustrated
in FIG. 8 and installed on the seat 23 in FIG. 10, will be described with reference
to FIG. 11. When a transverse component F of a load, which is applied to the seat
belt 25 by various types of accidents of the vehicle, is transmitted to the upper
rail 11 and the locking plate 9 through the cushion frame of the seat 23, the locking
plate 9 receives a clockwise rotational force FR, as illustrated in FIG. 11. In this
case, the catching protrusions 29 formed on the locking teeth 7 are caught by the
locking grooves 3 of the upper rail 11 and suppress the rotation of the locking plate
9.
[0055] Therefore, the locking state in which the locking plate 9 is inserted into the locking
grooves 3 of the upper rail 11 may be more stably maintained.
[0056] That is, in the present invention, the catching protrusions 29 provided on the locking
teeth 7 are appropriately formed only at positions and in directions that are required
to restrict the rotation of the locking plate 9 in accordance with the position at
which the locking plate 9 is mounted in the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to
ensure the stable seat locking state by restricting the rotation of the locking plate
9 and prevent an increase in manufacturing costs caused when unnecessary catching
protrusions 29 are formed.
[0057] Meanwhile, the installation positions and directions of the catching protrusions
29 of the locking plate 9 may also be expressed as follows.
[0058] That is, when a transverse direction of the vehicle body 33 connected to a safety
belt installed to connect the vehicle body 33 and the seat 23 is defined as a second
reference direction, the catching protrusions 29 protrude forward from the locking
teeth 7, which protrude in the second reference direction, based on the central portion
31 of the locking plate 9, and the catching protrusions 29 protrude rearward from
the locking teeth 7, which protrude in a direction opposite to the second reference
direction, based on the central portion 31 of the locking plate 9.
[0059] In addition, among the plurality of locking teeth 7 protruding in the second reference
direction of the locking plate 9, only the locking teeth 7 at the front side have
the catching protrusions 29, and the locking teeth 7 at the rear side do not have
the catching protrusions 29. Among the plurality of locking teeth 7 protruding in
the direction opposite to the second reference direction of the locking plate 9, only
the locking teeth 7 at the rear side have the catching protrusions 29, and the locking
teeth 7 at the front side do not have the catching protrusions 29.
[0060] That is, in the situation in FIG. 10, the seat 23 is installed at the left side based
on the centerline of the vehicle body 33, and the seat belt 25 of the seat 23 is connected
to a left sidewall of the vehicle body 33. Therefore, the first reference direction
and the second reference direction mean substantially the same direction, and the
positions and directions of the catching protrusions 29 of the locking plate 9 are
also configured in the same way as those in FIG. 8.
[0061] The present invention may also be expressed as follows.
[0062] That is, the seat rail locking device for a vehicle of the present invention includes
the lower rail 5 having the plurality of locking grooves 3, the upper rail 11 inserted
into the lower rail 5 so as to be slidable straight, the locking plate 9 installed
to be inserted into or withdrawn from the locking grooves 3 of the lower rail 5 by
moving upward or downward relative to the upper rail 11, the springs 17 configured
to elastically support the locking plate 9 upward and allow the locking teeth 7 of
the locking plate 9 to be inserted into the locking grooves 3 of the lower rail 5,
and the center pin 19 provided to implement a state in which the locking teeth 7 are
withdrawn from the locking grooves by moving the locking plate 9 downward while overcoming
the elastic forces of the springs 17 by means of a straight displacement provided
from the outside. The catching protrusions 29 are provided on the locking teeth 7
of the locking plate 9 and prevent the rotation and withdrawal of the locking plate
9 relative to the lower rail 5.
[0063] The locking plate 9 has the central portion 31 disposed at a center thereof and elongated
in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail 11. The plurality of locking teeth
7 protrudes from the two opposite sides of the central portion 31 so as to be correspondingly
inserted into the locking grooves 3 of the lower rail 5.
[0064] In addition, the locking plate 9 has the catching protrusions 29 protruding forward
from the plurality of locking teeth 7 positioned at the front side of one side based
on the central portion 31, and the catching protrusions 29 protruding rearward from
the plurality of locking teeth 7 positioned at the rear side of the other side based
on the central portion 31.
[0065] The catching protrusions 29 protrude from the ends of the locking teeth 7 in the
longitudinal direction of the central portion 31.
[0066] In the following, several Examples of the present disclosure will be described.
[0067] Example 1 is a seat rail locking device for a vehicle, the seat rail locking device
comprising: a lower rail having a plurality of locking grooves; an upper rail configured
to be inserted into the lower rail so as to be slidably disposed thereon; a locking
plate configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the plurality of locking grooves
of the lower rail by moving upward or downward relative to the upper rail; a spring
configured to elastically support the locking plate upward and allow a plurality of
locking teeth of the locking plate to be inserted into the plurality of locking grooves
of the lower rail; and a center pin configured to implement a state in which the plurality
of locking teeth are withdrawn from the plurality of locking grooves by moving the
locking plate downward while overcoming an elastic force of the spring by means of
a straight displacement provided from an outside, wherein catching protrusions are
disposed on at least one of the plurality of locking teeth of the locking plate to
prevent a rotation and withdrawal of the locking plate relative to the lower rail.
[0068] In Example 2, the subj ect matter of Example 1 can optionally further include that
the locking plate comprises a central portion provided at a center thereof and extending
in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail, and the plurality of locking teeth
protrude from two opposite sides of the central portion so as to be correspondingly
inserted into the plurality of locking grooves of the lower rail.
[0069] In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 can optionally further include that
in the locking plate, a first set of the catching protrusions protrude forward from
the locking teeth, which are positioned at a front side of one side of the central
portion, and a second set of the catching protrusions protrude rearward from the locking
teeth, which are positioned at a rear side of another side of the central portion.
[0070] In Example 4, the subj ect matter of Example 2 or 3 can optionally further include
that the catching protrusions protrude from ends of the locking teeth in a longitudinal
direction of the central portion.
[0071] Example 5 is a seat rail locking device for a vehicle, the seat rail locking device
comprising: a central portion having a flat plate shape and extending straight; a
plurality of locking teeth protruding from two opposite sides of the central portion
in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the central portion and
disposed at predetermined intervals; and catching protrusions protruding from ends
of at least one of the plurality of locking teeth in the longitudinal direction of
the central portion.
[0072] In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 can optionally further include that
a first set of the catching protrusions protrude forward from the locking teeth, which
are positioned at a front side of one side of the central portion, and a second set
of the catching protrusions protrude rearward from the locking teeth, which are positioned
at a rear side of another side of the central portion.
[0073] While the specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention
may be variously modified and changed without departing from the scope of the present
invention defined in the appended claims.
1. A seat rail locking device for a vehicle, the seat rail locking device comprising:
a lower rail having a plurality of locking grooves formed in an inner flange and opened
downward;
a locking plate having a plurality of locking teeth configured to be inserted into
or withdrawn from the plurality of locking grooves when the locking plate moves upward
or downward;
an upper rail configured to be inserted into the lower rail so as to be slidably disposed
thereon and having a locking-lifting mechanism configured to switch a locking state
by moving the locking plate upward or downward; and
an anti-rotation mechanism configured to suppress a rotation of the locking plate
against a transverse load applied to the upper rail.
2. The seat rail locking device of claim 1, wherein the anti-rotation mechanism comprises
a plurality of catching protrusions disposed on at least one of the plurality of locking
teeth of the locking plate.
3. The seat rail locking device of claim 2, wherein the locking plate comprises:
a central portion connected to the upper rail; and
the plurality of locking teeth protruding from two opposite sides of the central portion,
and
wherein the catching protrusions are disposed at ends of the at least one of the plurality
of locking teeth.
4. The seat rail locking device of claim 3, wherein the central portion of the locking
plate extends in a longitudinal direction of the lower rail,
wherein the plurality of locking teeth is spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal
direction of the central portion and protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction of the lower rail, and
wherein each of the plurality of catching protrusions has a partial point protruding
from an end of each of the plurality of locking teeth in the longitudinal direction
of the lower rail.
5. The seat rail locking device of claim 3 or 4, wherein the plurality of catching protrusions
comprise:
a first set of catching protrusions arranged at one side of the central portion of
the locking plate and protruding forward from the plurality of locking teeth; and
a second set of catching protrusions arranged at another side of the central portion
of the locking plate and protruding rearward from the plurality of locking teeth.
6. The seat rail locking device of claim 5, wherein when a direction of a seat installed
to be close to one side of a centerline of a vehicle body is defined as a first reference
direction, the first set of catching protrusions protrude forward from the locking
teeth, which protrude in the first reference direction from the central portion of
the locking plate, and the second set of catching protrusions protrude rearward from
the locking teeth, which protrude in a direction opposite to the first reference direction
from the central portion of the locking plate.
7. The seat rail locking device of claim 6, wherein among the locking teeth protruding
in the first reference direction of the locking plate, only the locking teeth at a
front side have the catching protrusions, and the locking teeth at a rear side do
not have the catching protrusions, and
wherein among the locking teeth protruding in the direction opposite to the first
reference direction of the locking plate, only the locking teeth at the rear side
have the catching protrusions, and the locking teeth at the front side do not have
the catching protrusions.
8. The seat rail locking device of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein when a transverse
direction of a vehicle body connected to a safety belt installed to connect the vehicle
body and a seat is defined as a second reference direction, the first set of catching
protrusions protrude forward from the locking teeth, which protrude in the second
reference direction from the central portion of the locking plate, and the second
set of catching protrusions protrude rearward from the locking teeth, which protrude
in a direction opposite to the second reference direction from the central portion
of the locking plate.
9. The seat rail locking device of claim 8, wherein among the locking teeth protruding
in the second reference direction of the locking plate, only the locking teeth at
a front side have the catching protrusions, and the locking teeth at a rear side do
not have the catching protrusions, and
wherein among the locking teeth protruding in the direction opposite to the second
reference direction of the locking plate, only the locking teeth at the rear side
have the catching protrusions, and the locking teeth at the front side do not have
the catching protrusions.
10. The seat rail locking device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the locking-lifting
mechanism comprises:
a guide bracket fixed to the upper rail and having a guide pin configured to guide
upward and downward movements of the locking plate;
a spring configured to elastically support the locking plate upward with respect to
the guide bracket and allow the locking plate to be coupled to the locking grooves
of the lower rail; and
a center pin configured to allow the locking plate to be withdrawn from the locking
grooves by moving downward while overcoming an elastic force of the spring by means
of a straight displacement provided from an outside.